How to Prepare Your Dog for Guard Dog Training

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Step 1: Pick the right breed

Pick the right breed of dog. German shepherds and Doberman Pinschers make the best guard dogs due to their protective nature. However, even gentle dogs can be good guard dogs with the proper training.

Tip

Remember that guard dogs are a form of security, like an alarm, but they are not attack dogs.

Step 2: Socialize your dog

Socialize your dog before beginning guard-dog training. Socialization is the process of getting the dog used to loud noises, such as traffic and thunderstorms, and getting them to recognize family and friends. This way the dog will be able to discern between normal and threatening scenarios.

Step 3: Begin basic obedience training

Give your dog basic obedience training. Going to classes and teaching your dog to follow basic obedience rules will establish you as the leader.

Tip

Start your dog's training at an early age. This gives the dog a better chance to learn new things before developing bad habits.

Step 4: Practice positive reinforcement

Practice positive reinforcement. Reward your dog with treats for good behavior and ignore them completely when they behave badly.

Step 5: Identify property boundaries

Identify property boundaries to your dog during their guard-dog training. Train your dog to recognize your property as their territory. Use positive reinforcement to drive this point.

Step 6: Control barking

Control your dog's barking. Using positive reinforcement, train your dog to bark when someone comes on to your property and to stop barking when given a specific command.

Step 7: Be consistent

Be consistent. The most important thing to remember when training your dog is to be consistent with your commands and the way you say them. This will help your dog understand you better, and will improve the results of their guard-dog training.

Did You Know?

Dogs have been man's best friend for an estimated 15,000 years, when Eurasian gray wolves were domesticated.